Lake Oconee Academy will open up its 2025 season against Mount Paran Christian this Friday on the road.
The Titans scrimmaged Social Circle this past week and played well, tying the Redskins 14-14 when the varsity played. However, when the junior varsity squads came in, Social Circle edged LOA, 12-0.
Overall, Lake Oconee Academy head coach Patrick Stewart was proud of how his players performed.
“We tied it and we battled, man,” Stewart said. “We had (quarterback) Jake McDonald command our offense, and he did a great job. And defensively, we had everybody flying to the ball. It was a good showing.”
The Titans changed their offensive approach this season to emphasize the run. The single-wing formation was effective against Social Circle, as McDonald made the correct reads when pitching the ball to his playmakers in space, such as CJ Stembridge and Kam Geter. McDonald also picked up a few yards on his own.
McDonald and Corrion Jernigan scored touchdowns on the ground for the Titans.
“We got into a rhythm offensively in the run game. With what we’re running now, Jake also made some great reads and had a couple of great completions on third-down conversions,” Stewart said.
“And then CJ and Kam also did a great job of running the ball. So, we were able to get the ball in a lot of hands across the offense.”
Social Circle quarterback Remi Farmer pushed the pace offensively through the air to his receivers. He also picked up a few first downs with his legs. Running back Kayden Fears also moved the chains with his feet.
LOA’s defense had some difficulty getting off the field at times, but overall, the Titans played well on that side of the ball. Their failure to obtain a defensive push up front allowed Social Circle to get off some long runs.
Stewart hopes that the team’s defensive front, led by Logan Davis and Keenan Parham, among others, can be more effective at stopping the run against Mount Paran Christian on the road in the season opener this Friday.
“Mount Paran, they’re the same as last year, and they’re gonna be physical and big up front,” Stewart said. “They run the traditional triple option. So they’re cutting down everybody at the front.”
Stewart believes other defenders, like Akeem Redd and Nathan Bragg, can help stop the run this week. The unit will be tasked with containing and stopping Mount Paran junior running back Gavin Steele.
LOA’s offensive line will also need to provide a push up front for the run game to succeed.
“As long as we get a push offensively, and we don’t get pushed back defensively, we’ll be in good shape,” Stewart said. “And then compared to last year, it’s a real similar game plan because they didn’t change anything. So it’s just going to be a physical ballgame.”
The Titans and the Eagles will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in Kennesaw.